S-19-01-1125-UV101 V1.3
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10. Cleaning / Disinfecting / Sterilizing
10.1 Cleaning and Disinfection of Fiber Optic Light Guide
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Clean and disinfect the light guide before every use. The light guide is not sterile when delivered and
must be sterilized before being used for the first time.
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Please check the manufacturer’s information about the cleaning and disinfecting agents.
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Make sure that the cleaning and disinfectant agents you have chosen do not contain any of the
following materials:
Organic, mineral, and oxidizing acids (minimum acceptable pH value 5.5)
Bases (maximum acceptable pH value 8.5)
Oxidation agents (e. g., hydrogen peroxide)
Halogens (chlorine, iodine, bromide)
Aromatic/halogenized hydrocarbons
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The light guide must not be exposed to temperatures higher than 134 °C (273 °F).
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Use a soft brush or a soft cloth to manually remove gross contaminations. Adhering polymerized
composite should be removed with alcohol, a plastic spatula may help in removing the material. Do
not use any sharp or pointed tools to protect the surface of the light guide from scratching.
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To disinfect, place the cleaned light guide for the specified application time into the solution, making
sure that it is completely covered. Disinfectants containing ophthalaldehyde are recommended.
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Remove the light guide from the solution and rinse thoroughly (at least 10 sec.) in water with low
germ count.
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Dry the light guide with a clean cloth.
Sterilization
Effective cleaning and disinfection are absolutely essential requirements for effective sterilization. Only
steam sterilization is approved as a sterilization procedure:
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Maximum sterilization temperature 134 °C (273 °F)
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Sterilization time (exposure time at sterilization temperature) at least 20 min. at 121°C (250 °F) or
at least 3 min. at 132 °C (270 °F) /134 °C (273 °F)
Check
Before using the light guide again, check it for damaged surfaces, discoloration, and contamination; do
not use damaged light guides. If the light guide is still contaminated, repeat the cleaning and
disinfection.
